First 3G iPhone hands-on tests are thumbs up

The 3G iPhone looks great on stage and in specs, but the proof of the pudding …

The first 3G iPhone hands-on reports are trickling in from the Moscone Center, and initial impressions sound positive.

Both Gizmodo and Engadget have taken floor models for a spin and basically corroborate Apple's talking points about the new device. 3G data is much zippier and approaches WiFi performance, with Engadget hitting 215Kbps in a speed test.

The two sites differ as to whether the iPhone "feels" thinner. Note that the 3G iPhone gained .02 inches of thickness and .1 ounces over the original one in your pocket, but the tapered edges make it "fit better," according to Brian Lam at Gizmodo.

Reception is noticeably better, with Lam proclaiming "I can't even believe this is frigging AT&T anymore." Apple wouldn't go into detail as to why 3G battery life was so great in the face of such better data speeds and call reception. However, it sounds like Apple's been working hard to optimize the new iPhone OS for those 3G Broadcom chips the company may have gone with.

Geotagging photos is officially in the house, though the GPS wasn't working due to being "deep indoors."

The 3G iPhone's new plastic backing received thumbs up for quality and style, with Lam calling the new white option for the 16GB "very feminine."

Engadget notes a number of particularly interesting aspects of the 3G iPhone's accessories. Notably, it comes with "a ridiculously, absurdly small power adapter. It basically looks like a tiny square with a USB port on one side, and power prongs on the other." The new body design requires a new dock that will be sold separately for the potential price of $29, which is a bummer because the new model likely won't fit in iPhone 1.0 docks.

Altogether the 3G iPhone's improvements over the first generation sound to be a success. We will of course fulfill the Ars tradition with an in-depth review once these hit the streets on July 11, so stay tuned.